Air Peace announces resumption of Abuja-Gombe Flight … as Arik resumes direct flight from Lagos to Kano

Chinazor Megbolu

An indigenous airliner, Air Peace has announced resumption of commercial flights to Gombe from Abuja.

The organisation at the weekend, said that it will soon launch the scheduled commercial flights to Gombe from Abuja and resume its Yola flight services.

The Chief Operating Officer Air Peace, Mrs Oluwatoyin Olajide, in a statement issued in Lagos on Sunday, said the decision to resume the Abuja-Gombe route was a reflection of Air Peace’s strategy to open up the north east as the region was presently underserved.

According to the statement; “this is part of our strategic route expansion drive and the determination to provide key connections, addressing the air travel needs of Nigerians while fostering economic development and unity.

“We are set to kick off Gombe operations and resume our Yola flight services very soon.

“The airline has already set up the Gombe station and is calling on residents of the state to apply to the airline as there are roles to be filled in the station.

“We have 17 aircraft undergoing varying levels of maintenance overseas and once they start returning, we shall launch more routes and resume others that we temporarily suspended”.

Olajide, however, maintained that the two brand new 124-seat capacity E195-E2 jets out of the 13 ordered recently received from Embraer would be deployed to boost domestic and regional flights connectivity anytime soon.

Meanwhile, the Management of Arik Air had said it’s resuming direct flights from Lagos to Kano with effect from April 27, 2021.

The Chief Executive Officer, Arik Air, Capt. Roy Ilegbodu, in a statement in Lagos on Sunday, said that the three weekly flights would operate on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

The statement pointed out that the move was to reintroduce direct flights between Lagos and Kano as a result of the importance of both cities as centres of commerce.

Ilegbodu noted that the airliner had always been known for the promotion of economic activities among the components states of Nigeria.

“We are pleased to announce the return of services to the ancient city of Kano. Our flights will offer our customers the advantage of direct air travel between Lagos and Kano.

“Customers on this route should expect the traditional Arik Air hospitality and exceptional services that have become the hallmark of the airline,” Ilogbodu said.